An MPH, or Master of Public Health, is a graduate degree that prepares individuals to work in public health
. It is an interdisciplinary degree designed to educate and build skills in various areas, such as epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, biostatistics, program planning, and evaluation
. A Master of Public Health degree can be obtained through various formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid programs
. The MPH program typically consists of 42 semester credit hours and includes foundation courses, core courses, and concentration courses, depending on the chosen field
. Some of the concentrations available in MPH programs include:
- Community Health Education (CHE)
- Epidemiology (EPI)
- Health Policy and Management (HPM)
- Public Health Nutrition (NUTR)
- Veterinary Public Health (VPH)
Students pursuing an MPH degree can expect to complete a comprehensive exam after finishing their required core coursework and a practicum experience, which involves working with a public health organization and completing a supervised Capstone project
. The degree prepares individuals to work in various settings, such as government, non-profits, or industry, and with different populations, including specific at-risk groups like the homeless, elderly, mothers, and children
. Some of the career paths and median salaries for individuals with an MPH degree include:
- Health Services Manager: $101,340 per year
- Environmental Health Specialist: $78,320 per year
- Food Safety Specialist: $76,440 per year
An MPH degree can significantly impact one's future career and open up various opportunities in public health, community health, and related fields
